Question My newly built PC doesn't turn on, can someone help?

[LukesBuildingStuff]

Hey guys,
First post here so sorry if there are formatting issues.

I have a newly build PC on a very low budget. It has parts such as:

Intel core 11400f
Nvidia GTX 1050ti
MAG 470 Tomahawk Motherboard
M.2 1tb drive from sandisk
Corsair DDR4 2x8GB 3200Mhz Ram
600 Watt PSU from Cooler master

I have built previous PCs and everything worked fine. So same as always putting everything together. Somehow tho the PC won't boot or show any sign of being alive. Fans don't start spinning, not even the one from the PSU.
The only noise I have heard sounds like a short click when turning it on, which I assume is from the PSU's fan trying to spin up.

Any idea how I can try to check for faults or what to do?

 

[Tech Junky]

You have a fault somewhere. Take it apart and plug the PSU into the mobo with nothing else and see if you get signs of life. If you do then add the CPU/RAM and try again. If that works then add the GPU and try again. If that works then add the drive.

This sort of issue makes me dislike the F version of the CPU because you get no diagnostics without a GPU.

If none of the above works then it's probably the PSU and you can get a tester for that for about $20 on Amazon to confirm.

Also, some boards need a BIOS/UEFI upgrade before working with 11th gen CPUs.

 

[LukesBuildingStuff]

You have a fault somewhere. Take it apart and plug the PSU into the mobo with nothing else and see if you get signs of life. If you do then add the CPU/RAM and try again. If that works then add the GPU and try again. If that works then add the drive.

This sort of issue makes me dislike the F version of the CPU because you get no diagnostics without a GPU.

If none of the above works then it's probably the PSU and you can get a tester for that for about $20 on Amazon to confirm.

Also, some boards need a BIOS/UEFI upgrade before working with 11th gen CPUs.

Thanks for the fast reply, will do all the testing when I'm back home.

Greets
Luke

 

[Tech Junky]

It could just be a bad connection not fully seated from the power leads as well. Pop them off and then make sure they click in audibly if you don't want to pull everything apart. Do it on both ends of each cable if it's modular.

I did once have a PSU that was DOA out of the box and it threw me for a loop as I had not encountered that before with different builds over the years.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Also, some boards need a BIOS/UEFI upgrade before working with 11th gen CPUs.

That may be it.

 

[Steltek]

That may be it.

I third this. According to the MSI support website, your motherboard needs at least BIOS v. 7C80v17 (released 02/04/2021) installed to support your CPU. This is several BIOS versions (at least 3) later than the version that originally shipped with the board.

 

[Tech Junky]

@VirtualLarry @Steltek

Now, the real question is if the UEFI can be updated with the 11th gen CPU or if it's dumb like RPL and needs the prior gen CPU to do the flash. I can't recall the specifics on MSI/

Intel core 11400f

MAG 470 Tomahawk Motherboard

Another thing that sticks out on a quick Google is AMD board / Intel CPU. Need to confirm it's actually a Z490 (Intel).

MSI MAG Z490 TOMAHAWK ATX Gaming Motherboard (10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4, CF, Dual M.2 Slots, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Type-C, 2.5G LAN, DP/HDMI, Mystic Light RGB) 輸入訊息

Powered by Intel 10th Gen Core processors, the MSI MAG Z490 TOMAHAWK is hardened with performance essential specifications to outlast enemies. Equipped with Aluminum Cover, Core boost, M.2 Shield Frozr and 2.5G LAN for sustained performance. A variety of

www.msi.com

Looks like it does have flashback capabilities.... whether it works w/ or w/o a CPU is a different story. Found one reddit thought hat mentions it working so there's hope.

 

[BoomerD]

I just installed an i5-13600K processor on an MSI Z690 Tomahawk DDR4 board. Downloaded the updated BIOS from MSI onto the flash drive MSI included, plugged that into the "BIOS FLASH" USB port, hit the maguc button...(no RAM, CPU, or GPU installed yet) a few minutes later the lights went out...when I installed the various components...it worked. (would it have booted with the OLD BIOS? don't know...maybe...maybe not)
Proof that it's so easy, even a caveman can do it.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Proof that it's so easy, even a caveman can do it.

Caveman from 2023

 

[BoomerD]

Caveman from 2023

ooga-booga...


Remember, I'm so fckn old, I remember when cave drawing was just some new teenager tagging fad...

 

[Steltek]

If this is the Mag Z490 Tomahawk (and, if it is a Tomahawk, is probably is as there was no Mag Z470 Tomahawk ), I'm fairly certain it doesn't have flashback capability.

It should also have EZ Debug LEDs for troubleshooting (CPU/DRAM/VGA/BOOT status LEDs) on the motherboard as described in the manual page below. If they aren't displaying, make sure that the motherboard LEDs are turned on via the switch indicated at the bottom of the page:



If the board LEDs are enabled and you still aren't getting a lit CPU or any other debug LED, I'd say something else is going on (grounding issue with motherboard mount or PSU issue immediately jump to mind). OTOH, if you are get a CPU debug LED, I'd say odds are more likely it is almost certainly a BIOS compatibility issue with the CPU.

BTW, the manual indicates that both CPU power connectors (the 8 pin AND the 4 pin) should both be plugged in along with the ATX power connector, so make sure you have done this. There have always been some debates here about whether this is necessary, but in this case MSI says both should be plugged in so I'd do it if you haven't.

Finally, some miscellaneous stuff. Try pulling the case power switch connector from the board and then start the system by shorting the pins with a screwdriver. As a last resort pull the board. Put it on top of the motherboard box with the CPU/cooler, one DRAM stick, the GPU installed. Hoook up the PSU cables and try to power it up with a screwdriver by shorting the grounding pins to eliminate the chance of a grounding issue with the case.